HEALTH REQUIREMENT CHECKLIST

Graduate Student Handbook

The Generalist Master of Science program (GEM) for non-nursing graduates is designed for individuals who hold baccalaureate degrees in fields other than nursing. The 75-credit program builds upon previous, broad educational preparation and provides an intense, accelerated and specialized nursing curriculum preparing students to take the NCLEX examination upon completion of 63 credits and to earn a master of science degree in nursing upon completion of the total 75 credits.

Marquette nursing faculty believe that leadership in providing an academically, fiscally and socially responsible health care system to facilitate educational mobility of individuals is an important component of the university's mission. The GEM curriculum is designed to facilitate graduate nursing education and accommodate adult learners.

Program highlights

The program builds upon the broad education of non-nursing graduates by providing an intense, accelerated curriculum leading to a master's degree in nursing. An application to a post-master's certificate program may be submitted after successful completion of the NCLEX.

Specific prerequisite courses for program admission are identified below.

Graduates are eligible to take the CNL Certification Examination offered by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing Commission on Nurse Certification.

Admission requirements

Baccalaureate degree — official transcripts of all college work

Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or greater

GRE (waived with a GPA of 3.2 or higher)

Completion of three recommendation forms; letters of reference are strongly encouraged

Updated résumé

Written statement of professional goals; must include reasons for pursuing graduate study. Limit to two double-spaced pages.

Completion of the following prerequisite courses with grade of C or better:

* Prerequisites preferred within past five years
** Within five years of program start date

Admission process

Prospective students need to complete the application for the master of science in nursing program for non-nursing graduates via Nursing CAS. The application deadline is December 15 for the following May start date. Classes begin the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Full-time enrollment is required to complete the 75-credit program. At the end of 15 months (63 credits), students are eligible to take the NCLEX examination and be licensed in Wisconsin only. At the completion of 75 credits, graduates are eligible to take the CNL Certification Examination and to take the NCLEX Examination.

Progression requirements

A GPA of 3.0 is required each semester and in summer modules for continuation in the program and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better must be maintained throughout the program.

New Careers in Nursing Program 2014-2015

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have funded schools of nursing across the U.S., including Marquette University College of Nursing, through the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Scholarship Program (NCIN). NCIN was launched in 2008 to address the national nursing shortage, develop a demographically representative nursing workforce, and fuel the pipeline of nurse faculty leaders.

The NCIN program enables schools of nursing to expand student capacity in accelerated baccalaureate and master’s programs while building a more diverse workforce ready to serve the needs of a changing patient population. Schools receiving funding through NCIN provide scholarships directly to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

In February 2015, further information about the NCIN Scholars program will be distributed to all students who have applied by the December 15th deadline.

Post-master's certificate program

As a GEM graduate, you are eligible to apply for a post-master's certificate in advanced nursing practice. Credits required depend on the specialty selected but will range from 18-28 credits. Note that some options require a year of practice before beginning clinical practice courses. Individuals considering post-master's certificate programs at Marquette University must attain professional nursing licensure in the State of Wisconsin.

COLLEGE OF NURSING SITE MENU

The Marquette Neighborhood Health Center

The center is designed as a nurse managed health center, under the auspices of the Marquette University College of Nursing, providing community access to health care services while enhancing educational opportunities for nursing students.
Learn more about MNHC.